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2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly 
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
- 2 Keys
2
- 4 Door Locks
2
- 7 Remote Keyless Entry System (RKE)
2
- 11 Trunk
2
- 12 Theft
2
- 13 Theft-Deterrent System (Option)
2
- 15 Immobilizer
2
- 16 New VehicleªBreak-Inº
2
- 16 Ignition Positions
2
- 18 Starting Your Engine
2
- 19 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
- 21 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
- 26 Parking Brake
2
- 27 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
- 29 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
- 30 Parking Over Things that Burn2
- 31 Engine Exhaust
2
- 31 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
- 32 Windows
2
- 34 Horn
2
- 34 Tilt Wheel
2
- 35 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
- 41 Exterior Lamps
2
- 47 Interior Lamps
2
- 48 Mirrors
2
- 50 Storage Compartments
2
- 53 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
- 54 Sunroof (Option)
2
- 58 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
- 62 The Instrument Panel -- Your 
Information System
2
- 66 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators 
         
        
        
     
        
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2-43
Your vehicle may be equipped with High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlamps. Your headlamps come on at
a lower intensity and gradually increase to full brightness.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the low
-beam headlamps, 
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps after 
the windshield wipers have been in use for about 
20 seconds.
The wiper
-activated headlamps light the way in poor
weather and also make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers. If the wipers are on and the ignition switch
is turned off, the headlamps will immediately turn off.
The headlamps will also deactivate if the windshield
wipers have been turned off for about 20 seconds.
Perimeter Lighting
This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps, 
parking lamps, sidemarker lamps and taillamps for
about 20 seconds after the unlock button on the 
remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. Perimeter
lighting immediately ends when your vehicle's ignition
is turned to ON or START.
Lamps On Reminder
You will hear a warning chime if you open the door
while leaving the lamps on, if the manual headlamp
control is activated. An exception to this is when 
you're using the Twilight Sentinel
.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier 
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the 
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make the high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when:
your vehicle's ignition is in ON or START,
the low
-beam headlamps are off (the manual lamp
switch is in the off or park lamp position) and
your vehicle's transmission is shifted out of 
PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only the high
-beam headlamps 
(at reduced brightness) will be on. No other exterior
lamps such as the parking lamps, taillamps, etc. will be
on when the DRL are being used. The instrument panel
won't be lit up either. 
         
        
        
     
        
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2-47
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This control dial is located to the right of the fog lamp
button. As you turn the control dial up, the instrument
panel lights will brighten.
Illuminated Entry
This system turns on the courtesy lamps (dome lamps
and door entry lamps) for about 20 seconds when any of
the following occur:
if you manually unlock your vehicle with the key,
if any door is opened,
if you press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, or
after the last door on your vehicle is closed.
Illuminated entry immediately ends when your vehicle's
ignition is turned to ON or START.
Rear Reading Lamps
The rear reading lamps are located above each rear door.
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps come on
when any door is opened and it is dark outside.
Placing the button in the center position enables the
lamps to come on when any door is opened. Pressing the
button toward the rear of your vehicle disables the lamps
when any door is opened. With the button set toward the
front of the vehicle, the lamps will always be on.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off. 
         
        
        
     
        
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2-59
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. If you have previously programmed a transmitter
channel, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, hold down
the two outside buttons on the HomeLink transmitter
until the indicator light begins to flash rapidly 
(after 20 seconds). Then release the buttons. This
procedure initializes the memory and erases any
previous settings for all three channels.
2. Decide which one of the three channels you want to
program. Hold the end of the hand
-held transmitter
about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) away from the
surface of the HomeLink transmitter so that you 
can still see the indicator light.
3. Using both hands, press the hand
-held transmitter
button and the desired button on the HomeLink
transmitter. Continue to press both buttons 
through Step 4.
4. Hold down both buttons until you see the indicator
light on the HomeLink transmitter flash slowly and
then rapidly. The rapid flashing indicates that the
HomeLink transmitter has been programmed.
Release both buttons once the indicator light starts 
to flash rapidly.Your Catera may be equipped with a metallic
-coated,
heat reflective windshield to help keep your vehicle
cool. If you experience difficulty when using your
remote control transmitter be sure you have followed the
directions exactly, and that you are pointing the device
through the top center of the windshield in the black
dotted area. Any usage of devices other than in this area
may cause malfunctions to occur. Also, the HomeLink
transmitter may not work with older garage door
openers that do not meet current Federal Consumer
Safety Standards. If you cannot program the transmitter
after repeated attempts, refer to ªRolling Code
Programmingº later in this section or contact the
HomeLink transmitter manufacturer at 1
-800-355-3515.
Be sure to keep the original hand
-held transmitter 
in case you need to erase and reprogram the 
HomeLink transmitter.
Canadian Owners: During programming, the hand
-held
transmitter may automatically stop transmitting after one
or two seconds. In this case, you should press and re
-press
the button on the hand
-held transmitter every two seconds
without ever releasing the button on the HomeLink
transmitter. Release both buttons when the indicator light
on the HomeLink transmitter begins to flash rapidly.